Obviously, especially with our suckage, peoples' patience is particularly short. But we can't be stupid about this - he will be a key part of our future. There's a reason that he's been highly touted.

Fisher showed some big promise defensively, his struggles came with confidence with the puck, not so much hockey IQ. Smith is different in the regard that he's not shown to play a basic defensive style. He's trying to run before he learns to walk, and he's stuck trying to make difficult plays, and it's hurting our defense.

Also have to take into account that he's been leapfrogged by a rookie with 6 games. Smith has all the ability in the world, but he's never shown the defensive apititude needed to play the big minutes. I don't think they're asking him to shut anyone down, but he just really lacks in the decision making department, and while it could develop, it very well might not. If he had showed previously at every level to not have a propensity to pinch at bad times, lose his guy in the defensive zone, try to force a pass etc. then I'd feel good about his future as a top 4 guy on our team.

He'll get at least another year, and hopefully he can work on his game, but it's not developed in 2 AHL seasons, and 43 NHL games and there really hasn't even been a bright spot were he's played well for 3-4 games defensively.

Fisher showed some big promise defensively, his struggles came with confidence with the puck, not so much hockey IQ. Smith is different in the regard that he's not shown to play a basic defensive style. He's trying to run before he learns to walk, and he's stuck trying to make difficult plays, and it's hurting our defense.

Also have to take into account that he's been leapfrogged by a rookie with 6 games. Smith has all the ability in the world, but he's never shown the defensive apititude needed to play the big minutes. I don't think they're asking him to shut anyone down, but he just really lacks in the decision making department, and while it could develop, it very well might not. If he had showed previously at every level to not have a propensity to pinch at bad times, lose his guy in the defensive zone, try to force a pass etc. then I'd feel good about his future as a top 4 guy on our team.

He'll get at least another year, and hopefully he can work on his game, but it's not developed in 2 AHL seasons, and 43 NHL games and there really hasn't even been a bright spot were he's played well for 3-4 games defensively.

Carman, you know better. Defenseman prime is 26 to 34. Kindl and Quincy sucked up until this year. There is a much steeper learning curve for an NHL d. Give Smith time, and he is going to be great. That Anaheim game where he put Ryan on his ass gave me a lot of hope for #2. He just needs seasoning and good coaching. And we have a good coach.

Carman, you know better. Defenseman prime is 26 to 34. Kindl and Quincy sucked up until this year. There is a much steeper learning curve for an NHL d. Give Smith time, and he is going to be great. That Anaheim game where he put Ryan on his ass gave me a lot of hope for #2. He just needs seasoning and good coaching. And we have a good coach.

Quincey had 38 points in his first full season.

I'm not giving up on Smith, but it's not like he's shown to be a great defensive guy at any level. He's always been a phyisical/point producer that took a ton of chances. Hopefully he can be Wisniewski-type soon, but right now a Wisniewski-type guy that doesn't produce is a terrible defenseman and that's why he is fighting to have a 6th spot on a bubble playoff team. I'm just not sold that he has the defensive mind to be a reliable #2, and don't want people to be disappointed if he ends up being a good depth man.

I don't know if you remember but Kindl used to be an offensive dud too. With some guys its all about confidence. Smith looked sick last season when he was jumping up in the play but he is trying to be smarter this year and I feel like the pressure of having 3 vets battle for your spot is making him second guess himself out there.

Smith definitely deserves more time. A year from now I hope he is showing what he is really capable of.

Smith has all the tools to be a great player he just is a little over excited at times. He rushes plays that are not there and he gets caught pinching in when he shouldn't. He needed a older steady partner (like Cheli) that could groom him this year. His game will come together but it will just take more time.

I'm not giving up on Smith, but it's not like he's shown to be a great defensive guy at any level. He's always been a phyisical/point producer that took a ton of chances. Hopefully he can be Wisniewski-type soon, but right now a Wisniewski-type guy that doesn't produce is a terrible defenseman and that's why he is fighting to have a 6th spot on a bubble playoff team. I'm just not sold that he has the defensive mind to be a reliable #2, and don't want people to be disappointed if he ends up being a good depth man.

god, every time the topic of our D is brought up it really pisses me off that we didn't trade White. If he's not going to play then why keep him? I mean even a 5th round pick is better than another filled seat in the press box.

Smitty and Lashoff should split the last spot. Then again, I thought Cola looked pretty goo din the couple games he did play.

The problem is I think the reason he wasn't traded is because he is more valuable on our team as an emergency back up then the Conditional 7th round pick that we would have gotten in return. Just like Huskins brought back and just like Redden got St. Louis...

Carman, you know better. Defenseman prime is 26 to 34. Kindl and Quincy sucked up until this year. There is a much steeper learning curve for an NHL d. Give Smith time, and he is going to be great. That Anaheim game where he put Ryan on his ass gave me a lot of hope for #2. He just needs seasoning and good coaching. And we have a good coach.

His play has improved over the course of the season. He still makes some boneheaded plays and his personality sucks (strictly my opinion, his ego is too big for his play). That being said, he made a nice poised poke check there on the backcheck. The thing that usually burns Quincey is that him and Smith are paired together. Both of them have offensive instincts and want to make the initial pinch. Both have the tendency to want to get involved in the play. Unfortunately, neither of them are good enough to be playing the way they are. Both need to simplify their games and be more observant to the play and each other. Honestly, we just need another good stay at home personality on the back-end.